The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-21
Augusta County Teachers, Institute

Augusta County Teachers Institute
In pursuance of call published by Supt
Jordan, an Institute for the Teachers Of
Augusta county met in the Sommcryille
puHuihg On the 14th instant. The instr
tule, composed of about l65 teachers, was
Called 70 order by Prof. Jordan at 10 O'Clock
q, u. Ihe choir then sang from Gospe
hymns, after which a feeling prayer was
offered by Rev. J. W. Howe, of the U. B
| Church.
Following is a synopsis of the proceed
lngs OF each day:
] FIRST DAY.
Inc institute was addressed by the SUI
perlnCendent, who defined the duties Of the
superintendent. district boards, and teach
ers. He congratulated the teachers upon
the healthy condition of the schools of the
county and upon the faithful discharge OF
their duties.
G. M. KILLER, of North River district,
was then nominated by M. w. Booker, sec
onded by j. A. Michael, as secretary, ard
unanimously elected.
PTof. Jordan opened the discussion on
arithmetic showing its Importance in every
avenue oil life, and especially as mental
discipline. Supt. Jordan was followed by
frof. j. A. Hutchens, of StannJon, in a
pointed address. showing how to teach
Enumeration. and the advantages OF asso-
clatlng objects with numbers in teaching
beginners.
}. A. Michael, of North River district,
linen LOOK the floor, and compared multi
pilcatlon and division, giving a practical
demonstration OF his method of teaching
them.
Prof. Bixby, an English gentleman. a
lannon's iInnI1icf nd an6 qnfbOr
OF language course, was next introduced
by Prof. Jordan. Prof Bixby delivered a
learned discourse on the etymology of
words, giving the Specification OF many
proper names. &C.
The hour az M. for adjournment-In
stitute adjourned to meet at p. m.
afternoon Session. he subject of arith-
metic was continued by Prof. Robinson,
superintendent City Schools, discussing
percentage. comparative proportion, and
circulating decimals, and giving formulas
for the solution of problems involving those
rules.
GEOGRAPHY
was next introduced by Prof. Jordan, who
denounced the practice Of memorizing
statistics and unimportant matter, and
insisted upon teaching principles instead.
3. Vint, of North River district, then
CAh1RitSu q HuuUCl I'll cACCutIlIt
executed by the pupils of his school.
Prof. Perry, Of the Stanton High School.
gave an explanation of the movements of
the Earth and their effects.
Prof. Perry spoke at length, and held the
entire attention OF the audience.
READING.
The subject of reading was opened by
NJ. w. Booker of Pastures district, adyo-
eating the word method
Institute adjourned at O. clock p. ~ to
meet at a. m. Friday.
SECOND DAY-FRIDAY.
Morning Session.-Institute was opened
by singing from Gospel Hymns. Prayer
by Rey.J Donavan.
The subject of reading was continued by
Supt. Jordan in some practical and pointed
remarks, followed by John Hannah, of
North River district, who defended the
| oalphabetic y method to some extent.
B. B. White. of Middle River district.
advocated the 81 word y method. and in
sisted that a word is as readily learned by
the child as a letter. The discussion on
this subject was interesting and animated,
and participated in by Mr.. Booker ard
others.
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
was opened by superintendent, followed by
Mr.. Vint in a very practical speech, i'll
which he advocated moral suasion as the
most effective means of securing and main
tanning order in the schoolroom. The dis
cussion Of this subject was participated in
by Messrs. Hutchens, Booker, e. l.. Houtf,
Michael, Robinson, and others. Mr.. Viii
son, of Pastures district, made some hui
morous remarks on this sabject.
The Chair appointed acommit tee on reso-
I,,4. oPt la FD11 Zoo ok,
ers: NJ. W. Booker. S. M. Woods, g. L.
Shutting. j. Hartman Stover, and Robt. M
Houff, after which the Institute adjourned
to meet at O'Clock p. m.
afternoon Sessaon.-Music by choir. The
subject of spelling was discussed by Profs
Perry, Hutchens, and others.
GRAMMAR
was introduced by Supt. Jordan, and dis
cussed with warmth and interest, by Profs.
Perry. Haley, and Owens, of the city
schools, and number of teachers of the
county.
After the adoption of the following reso-
lutions, reported by S. NJ Woods, the In
stitute was dismissed by Rev.J. Donavan,
of the U. B.Church, pronouncing the Bene
diction:
Resolcetl-By the Public School Teachers of
Augusta county in Institute assembled
iation known as the per capita or average sys
TEN is detrimental to the success of the schools:
that it is unjust to the teacher and tends to i'm
pair discipline and encourage dishonest
ports 1t is potent power in the hands of the
ignorant and vicious against the best interests
of the great cause in which we are engaged.
And we most earnestly request our County SUI
perintendent to use his best efforts at the com
ing meeting of County superintendent of the
State to prevail ON that body to recommend to
the State Board of Education the abolition OF
this pernicOuS regulation.
p npacQ MT "a Nv xuI1 no IA
ment of teachers salaries are regulated are
onerous and oppressive, and we would recon-
teacher to- draw. his salary upon warrant is
sued by the County Superintendent upon the
| the receipt of the teachers monthly report.
| Resotred Sd. That this Institute is in favor of
| such change in the districts for taxation for
| school purposes as will permit of tle disburse-
ment of all funds so raised within the limits OF
| the counties wherein such taxes are levied.
| That all members of local boards shall be
compensated for their services and that the
| fund saved by such change of district be used
| to increase the pay of teachers and members of
| local school boards.
| and are hereby rendered to Profs. Robinson,
| Hutchins. Perry and other teachers of Stann
| ton for their ms ructiye porticipatluns III Our
deliberations.
| 5th, That the choir is tender our thanks for
| the excellent music with wi ich it has RECALLED
the Institute and also, Rows. j. W Howe and
J. Donovan for religious services during The
| Institute
| 9th. That the Institute FULLY apprecating the
| efficiency anu promptness of action on the part
of our esteemed superintendent. hereby ex-
press our entire satisfaction with the ability,
| fmpartiality and courtesy he has displayed in
| the discharge of his onerous duties, and pledge
| him aid and support in the further prosecution
| of his work,
| 18th. That the Secretary furnish copy of
these resolutions to each of the county news
papers with the request that they be published.
! M. w. BpCHER G. l.. STULTING,
X. NJ. HoUFF, SAM'L M. WOODS,
j. HARTMAN SLOWER.